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Public funding for startups in Argentina: an impact evaluation

Author

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  • Inés Butler

    (IERAL)

  • Gabriela Galassi

    (European University Institute)

  • Hernán Ruffo

    (Universidad Torcuato Di Tella)

Abstract

A broad literature has found that the misallocation of entrepreneurial talent has strong effects on productivity. To investigate whether the government can improve entrepreneurial activity, we analyze a policy aimed at promoting innovative startups through the provision of funding and technical assistance to potential entrepreneurs in Buenos Aires, Argentina. We conduct a survey and use regression discontinuity methods to identify the effects of the policy. We find significant effects on enterprise creation and survival as well as on employment. Overall, we show that small-scale public policy can help entrepreneurs overcome a wide variety of barriers to firm entry and improve the allocation of their entrepreneurial talent.

Suggested Citation

  • Inés Butler & Gabriela Galassi & Hernán Ruffo, 2016. "Public funding for startups in Argentina: an impact evaluation," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 46(2), pages 295-309, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:sbusec:v:46:y:2016:i:2:d:10.1007_s11187-015-9684-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s11187-015-9684-7
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    3. Martin Pereyra & Diego Aboal & Flavia Rovira, 2021. "How effective are training and mentorship programs for entrepreneurs at promoting entrepreneurial activity? An impact evaluation," SN Business & Economics, Springer, vol. 1(7), pages 1-21, July.
    4. Francesco Martielli & Vittorio Laus & Antonio Salvi & Anna Kotaskova, 2025. "Unlocking funding success: intercultural entrepreneurship dynamics in European startups," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 21(1), pages 1-31, December.
    5. Busu, Mihail & Caraiani, Petre & Hadad, Shahrazad & Incze, Cynthia Bianka & Vargas, Madalina Vanesa, 2021. "The performance of publicly funded startups in Romania," Economic Systems, Elsevier, vol. 45(3).
    6. Srhoj, Stjepan & Walde, Janette, 2020. "Getting ready for EU Single Market: The effect of export-oriented grant schemes on firm performance," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 279-293.
    7. Sá, Elisabete S. & Pinho, José Carlos M.R. de, 2019. "Effect of entrepreneurial framework conditions on R&D transfer to new and growing firms: The case of European Union innovation-driven countries," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 47-58.
    8. Stjepan Srhoj & Michael Lapinski & Janette Walde, 2019. "Size matters? Impact evaluation of business development grants on SME performance," Working Papers 2019-14, Faculty of Economics and Statistics, Universität Innsbruck.
    9. Mueller, Christoph E., 2023. "Startup grants and the development of academic startup projects during funding: Quasi-experimental evidence from the German ‘EXIST – Business startup grant’," Journal of Business Venturing Insights, Elsevier, vol. 20(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Innovation; Entry; Exit; Cash grants; Impact evaluation; Argentina;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C31 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models; Quantile Regressions; Social Interaction Models
    • H25 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Business Taxes and Subsidies
    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives

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